KNIGHTHAWKS SIGN FREE AGENTS LONGBOAT AND HOLMES

Oct 16, 2017

(October 16, 2017)… The Rochester Knighthawks announced today that they have signed free agents Greg “Honosawi” Longboat and Logan Holmes to one-year deals. Longboat returns to the team that drafted him after having an impressive summer in his first season in senior lacrosse.

With the Ontario Senior “B” champion Six Nations Rivermen, Longboat played tough, physical defense while also contributing offensively. In the President’s Cup tournament, he played both ends of the floor and finished second on Six Nations with 33 points and third in the tournament with 26 assists. That included two assists in the championship game as the Rivermen captured a silver medal.

“I started off the year playing defense and then they moved me up to play some offense,” he said. “I feel like I learned a lot and definitely became a better player.”

Earning another opportunity to play for the Knighthawks means a lot to the 23-year-old Longboat, who also played with the Arena Lacrosse League’s Six Nations Snipers in 2017. “I am just grateful to have another shot at making the team,” he said. “I wasn’t sure I would get another chance.”

Longboat originally joined the Knighthawks in 2015 after being selected in the fourth round (38th overall) of that year’s National Lacrosse League Entry Draft. Prior to getting drafted, he won back-to-back Junior “A” Minto Cups with the Six Nations Arrows. During his Junior “A” career, the defenseman collected six goals and eight assists in 32 games. The Six Nations product also recorded four goals and six assists in 30 postseason contests.

To go along with a pair of Minto Cups, Longboat won three straight Founders’ Cups with the Six Nations Rebels (2011-13). Longboat also received a bronze medal with the Iroquois Nationals at the 2014 FIL World Lacrosse Championship. The following year, he was drafted by Rochester. This November, Longboat will be back in camp as the Knighthawks will take another hard look at him during training camp.

“We drafted Greg a few years ago and we saw a lot of potential in him back then,” said Knighthawks head scout Stuart Brown. “I think he's continued to develop and this is a great opportunity for him to come in and show us what he's got.”

“For him to come back healthy and put his best foot forward is always a good sign,” added Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. “We are looking forward to seeing what he can do for us in camp.”

Joining Longboat at training camp is Logan Holmes. The transition player arrives in Rochester after amassing incredible numbers at the Junior “B” level. During his five seasons with the Windsor Clippers, the lefty posted 372 points in 93 games. In his final two years, he served as the team captain and primarily played an offensive role. In 2015 and 2016, he led Windsor and Junior “B” lacrosse in scoring. In 2016, he recorded 38 goals and 107 assists for 145 points in 20 games. The previous campaign, the Windsor, Ontario native tallied 37 goals and 76 assists for 113 points in 20 games.

On the strength of back-to-back 100-plus point seasons, he was selected in the sixth round (52nd overall) by the Buffalo Bandits in the 2016 NLL Entry Draft. Holmes attended Bandits camp and attempted to make the jump from the Junior “B” ranks to the pros.

“Coming from Junior ‘B’ and then going to Bandits camp was huge,” he said, “but it was more of an experience than trying to make the team.”

The following year, Holmes moved from offense to a defense/transition role. He first started playing more on the defensive side of the floor with the Paris RiverWolves in the Arena Lacrosse League. During the 2017 season, he collected four goals and 10 assists for 14 points in six games. His play eventually earned him a spot on the Cobourg Kodiaks. In 15 Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) games, he scored five goals and added four assists. His speed, quickness and versatility earned him a spot in camp with the Knighthawks.

“Logan is a talented player. He put up big numbers in junior, but also showed that he can play out the back door, as he did in the Arena League this winter,” said Brown. “I watched him play in the Arena Combine Game and think he has potential as a defender, with the ability to stay and play some offense.”

The 22-year-old Holmes said he was appreciative that the Knighthawks have given him another opportunity to make an NLL roster.

“I am excited for this camp more than the Buffalo one because I know what to expect,” said Holmes. “I know I have to work even harder than I usually do, and I am a hard worker as it is. I want to be overprepared. I want to go into this camp and work my butt off for this spot.”